With Valentine’s Day approaching, I think we can all use a little more love in our lives. You could fire up the same old collection of tired loved songs, but it’s much more satisfying to sink your teeth into something new. Once More, the debut EP from Novocastrian singer-songwriter Lachlan Edwards hits the spot.
Lachlan is just 17, but he already seems to know more about romance than most of the grown men I’ve dated. He weaves poetic lyrics around simple acoustic melodies that speak to the heart. He’s not reinventing the wheel here, but he doesn’t have to. His voice is so compelling, with just a little gravel that makes you believe every word he sings. And those words are beautiful, painting pictures of moments in time that are small, yet meaningful. Gazing up at the moon after a few too many drinks, admiring her olive skin as she sleeps, candid snapshots of relationships that could be the kind of grand love we’ve all heard about.
Each of the EP’s five tracks is so strong that it feels unfair to single any out. Most were written over the last year, although the current single “Little Things” was conceived when Lachlan was just 15. I have a soft spot for “Fall in Love,” the way it captures those early moments of connection and infinite possibilities. But every song is special in its own way.
There’s a great beauty and optimism about Once More. It’s the kind of collection of songs we could all use, not just now near Valentine’s Day but all year round. Hometown fans can catch him at the following local events.
12 February 2020 – Great Northern Hotel, Newcastle
28 February 2020 – Homegrown Markets @ Speers Point Park, Speers Point
21 March 2020 – Homegrown Markets @ The Station, Newcastle
22 March 2020 – Homegrown Markets @ Speers Point Park, Speers Point
18 April 2020 – Homegrown Markets @ The Station, Newcastle
26 April 2020 – Homegrown Markets @ Speers Point Park, Speers Point
9 May 2020 – Homegrown Markets @ The Station, Newcastle
24 May 2020 – Homegrown Markets @ Speers Point Park, Speers Point
30 May 2020 – Homegrown Markets @ The Station, Newcastle
20 June 2020 – Homegrown Markets @ The Station, Newcastle
28 June 2020 – Homegrown Markets @ Speers Point Park, Speers Point
Image used with permission from Thrillhill Music